Hire faster and smarter using a background check company for employment screening

October 8, 2010 by

If you are considering the use of a background check company for pre employment screening you are probably aware that there are powerful benefits in doing so.

Hiring managers and HR departments spend many hours weeding through the mountains of resumes and applications received for each open position. This process takes time that can cause other tasks to lag behind and good candidates to slip by to the competition in the meanwhile.

The latest technology in employment screening offered by any leading edge background check company allows you to enter some basic info on line at your convenience and submit for very fast results.  Getting theses results emailed to your inbox means you do not have to wait for your provider to get around to your file for processing and you can read them on your timetable.

Having your background check company perform pre employment screening before you get too far along in your hiring process will weed out some candidates cutting down on the face to face time spent with someone you may like personally in one brief meeting only to discover serious disqualifiers in the employment screening results later… and then it is back to the drawing board.

It is easier than ever to know who you are hiring and that what you think you see is what you are actually getting.  We would all like to trust our gut with candidates but the smart thing to do to protect your business and employees is contract your employment screening to a background check company. There are countless stories of ” I trusted…”

To learn about your employment screening options, visit: background check company or call 1-770-426-0547

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Background Checks (2 Quick + 2 Cheap = Not 2 Good)

September 29, 2010 by

If you’re shopping for a background check company for your company for the first time or to see what’s out there, be advised that there are a lot of companies and claims out there.

Some will claim “instant” results for a criminal check.  Others will tell you that their check is “Nationwide”, or a national criminal record check.  Some will offer to conduct your employee background check for a dollar or two.  A reputable company will discuss your requirements and let you know honestly what to expect in the way of results and costs, as well as what your obligations are as an employer to your applicant.

You didn’t get where you are in business by believing everything you hear, so be sure you are going to get your money’s worth before deciding which background check company to use.

If your results are back to you instantly, you have probably received them from a company that utilizes a commercial database.  The results may be for your applicant or it may be for someone with a similar name.  It’s generally left up to the employer to determine the true identity.  Most databases upload information from public data providers no more frequently than monthly.  Some are more infrequent than that, which leads to more recent and current criminal activity being unreported.

If your cost is ultra cheap for each criminal search, will you truly be able to rely on the expertise of your provider to explain results when necessary.

Remember that each background check is different from another, and the cookie cutter approach to background checking may not be the best value for you.

Use care when selecting a background check company and be sure that you select a company that will partner with you to deliver an excellent value and a product you can trust.

Call 770-426-0547 for assistance in setting up you background screening program or click here for further information.

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The Criminal Background Check and the FCRA

September 27, 2010 by

A number of employers are unsure of the elements that comprise a criminal background check .

A background check company and the information it provides to the End User (the customer) is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and the FCRA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Under the FCRA, booth the background check company, also known as a Consumer Reporting Agency or CRA, and the customer have certain rules to follow.  Although many employers think the FCRA regulates only credit reporting, but that is far from the case.

As far as criminal records are concerned, the FCRA restricts reporting of any arrest that does not result in a conviction beyond seven years in the past.  Some examples of non-conviction are acquittals, nolle prossequi, withheld or deferred judgments, successfully completed first offender programs, dead dockets, and others.  Any arrest or disposition that occurs within the seven-year window may be reported to the end user.

Arrests that result in convictions, however, may be reported as far back as records are available.

But there are certain states that have reporting restrictions that are even more stringent than the Federal Government’s.  All End Users should check their local laws, or ask their background check company for the states that are more restrictive, and what restrictions apply.

A “rule of thumb” for many employment screening companies is to check the records back seven years only.  Be sure to ask your company what their policy is regarding years searched, and what you prefer for your pre employment background check program.

For further explanation and information regarding criminal background checks and the FCRA, click here, or call 770-426-0547.

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How Employment Screening Can Lead To A Safer Work Place

September 24, 2010 by

Pre employment screening has become a necessary process for many companies, industries and firms and especially with high risk positions. Pre employment screening consists of employee background checks and include a criminal background check along with personal, employment, financial, educational and other legal history checks.

There are several reassurances that come with employing the services of a background check company. Of these include knowing that you do not have a criminal amongst your employees, they were honest and sincere with their resumes and histories, and they have the educational training required for their positions.

Employing the services of a background check company also can reassure there are no employees with fraudulent histories that could eventually lead to attempted fraud against their company. If an employee with a bad credit and financial history of length and bankruptcy were to be put in a position that included handling large amounts of money, the potential of a theft happening would be much higher and a situation that can be avoided with employee background checks.

Employment screening and employee background checks decrease the incidences one could expect with high risk employees. You could even say it ensures a much lower percentage of chance that one bad apple will spoil the whole bunch! This can give the employers more time to think about other business matters and eliminate the stress of not knowing who is working for them.

Pre employment screening should consist of employee background checks and a criminal background check at minimum, but depending on the type of business and the potential risk that typically comes with this type of business, the full employee background checks may be more appropriate. Not only will the employer feel more safe and secure but the employees will too, knowing full well what all is being checked before they are hired.

A safe and secure company is able to focus more on running the company and less of watching their backs as those that do not take these precautionary steps should be doing. It’s too bad that this is the way it is, but it is certainly smarter to be safe than sorry.

A criminal background check is a simple, easy solution.

For more information contact us at background check company or call 1.770.426.0547

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Ho Ho Ho Employee Backround Checks

September 19, 2010 by

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. The store looks wonderful; you are surrounded by customers busily buying! You and your store team have worked hard to get to this day. Now starts the fun and excitement of the retail holiday season. The new folks seem to be fitting in just great! Look at them up there at the register taking care of those customers! You think to yourself, employee background checks, who needs to spend that money? Boy they sure are friendly!

You laid the ground work for a successful holiday season. You bought the merchandise, you planned the advertising and you hired some employees to help you handle the additional traffic this season brings. You ran an ad and had an outstanding reaction to your “now hiring” banner. You took the time necessary to make sure your new people were the right mix for your store. You personally interviewed each one, gosh were they nice. You called and did reference checks on them, gee her old supervisor gave her a glowing personal recommendation! The store owner next door was talking about the employee background checks he did before he hired anyone this year. He got a lot of great information from the background check company. Heck though, what does he know. You have been doing this longer and know people better. Go with the gut feeling that these new employees are all going to be fantastic.

The day ends. Sales were just awesome! Wait, the register is short a lot of money.

How many managers have been in this position? Have you had your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach when the missing cash is discovered? No it’s not always the newest people that steal from their employer but, how much of that theft can be deterred by doing proper employee background checks? As an employer, you are only privy to a certain amount of information. Why not let a professional get the rest for you?

For more information contact us at employee background checks or call 1.770.426.0547

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5 Things Employee Background Checks will Reveal.

September 17, 2010 by

In today’s America, pre employment background checks have become a must in every company that thrives for success in the entrepreneurial world. Remember that the government is always looking at you, and you should always be very careful with your potential employees if you don’t want Uncle Sam to slap you in the hands for bad management.

Even though employee background checks can become a scary task if you want to do it on your own, if you hire the perfect background check company, scary will be the least of your concerns. A background check company will help you dig out the dirt out of your potential employees. Employment screening will reveal things like:

* Lies About Past Jobs.
If you thought you’d be hiring the next Bill Gates for your company, think again. Employment screening will reveal if you are about to hire the next Bill Gates, or the next Larry the Cable Guy for your company.

* Lies About Degrees.
It’s very common for potential employees to lie about their academic history. Pre employment background checks will detect very easily degree-fudging in your potential employees as well as your company’s current employees.

* Worker’s Compensation History.
Employee background checks will reveal if your staff has been involved in worker’s compensation fraud, or if they are seriously injured that they won’t be able to put up with the job that you are trying to offer them.

* Sex Offender’s List.
Let’s face it, who wants to hire a pervert? Quick criminal background checks will reveal to you in no time if your baby-faced potential worker is in reality a wolf in disguise. Always be on the safe side and ask to your background check company for a criminal background check.

* Credit Records.
Is money disappearing from your cash registers? Hire a background check company to reveal which person on your total staff is having money problems. However, that doesn’t really mean this person is taking the money, but at least you know you have to keep an eye on this person just in case.

There are a lot of things that a background check company can help you find out. If you want to be on the safe side it’s never too late to hire one of these companies, you don’t want Uncle Sam telling you “I told you so”.

For more information: employee background checks or call 1.770.426.0547

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Criminal Background Checks

September 13, 2010 by

In employment screening, all criminal background checks are not alike.  They can be from the narrowest, most focused type (generally a county court search) to the broadest (a national commercial database search).

Let’s examine some of the differences.

The narrower search at the county level is the most detailed.  The information is contained in the file from a criminal proceeding, and is public record.  All details of the record are contained there from the date of the offense until the final disposition.  Generally, these types of records are obtained by a runner, a live person who goes to the courthouse, looks up the name in an index, and pulls the actual file to examine the information that is recorded and reported as part of the background check.  Some county indexes are on line, although the record itself is maintained physically at the courthouse.  The advantage to this type of search is that it is extremely accurate and detailed.  The disadvantage is that it is narrow and doesn’t include nearby counties where the individual may have committed crimes.

Next is the statewide criminal repository, which approximately 40 of the 50 states make available for defined purposes.  The repository is made up of criminal information forwarded from local police departments, as well as municipal, lower, and upper courts.  The advantage here is that the search covers a much broader area than a county specific search, but all statewide repositories are not equal.  Some include only conviction information, which precludes pending cases, while others are too slow or expensive to use, making them impractical.  The decision to utilize a statewide repository depends on cost, accuracy, and the content included.  Not all local courts report every court action to the repository usually by oversight, but some repositories are very thorough.  Your background check company generally knows which ones to avoid.

Finally, the national commercial database is an extremely broad based search.  The information contained in it comes from government agencies that sell the information to subscribers, and from public sources such as on-line court systems or state departments of correction (prison inmates).  The data may also come from searches that have been conducted on an individual in the past and been added to the database.  This type of search can be a valuable add on tool to a more specific search, but should never be relied upon solely to make an employment decision.  The advantage to this type is obviously breadth, while the disadvantages are accuracy and timeliness of the information provided.  Identifiers like dates of birth and social security numbers are frequently redacted, and criminal information may be only sporadically uploaded to the database, missing recent criminal activity.  Further, a crime may have been expunged by the court, but remain on the database, causing problems to the applicant and the employer.

For further advice on criminal background checks call 1-770-426-0547 or click here.

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Background Check Company finds Bogus Degrees

September 11, 2010 by

Bogus Degrees Trick Employers

One of the discrepancies most often detected by a background check company is that of overstated educational credentials.

A candidate may apply for a position that requires a certain educational level, such as an undergraduate or higher degree from a college or university.  The employer usually assumes that the information is correct, or asks for a copy of a diploma or transcripts.  But even these credentials can’t be taken at face value without further investigation.

According to one expert, there are over 400 “diploma mills” and 300 web sites where phony degrees can be awarded and fake diplomas purchased for anyone with the cash to buy them.

Fake transcripts can be provided and some of the “colleges” have staff to answer phone inquiries regarding graduation verification from prospective employers and their representatives.

Depending on the institution, degrees can be awarded for “life experiences”, for writing a short essay, or for some institutions, payment alone is enough.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, only 40% of companies verify degrees, and the diploma mills provide part of that verification percentage.

The key then is to determine if the degree granting institution is accredited by a bona fide accrediting agency.  (There are phony accrediting agencies as well.) Be certain that your background check company is aware of the proliferation of diploma mills and that unfamiliar schools are checked for legitimacy.

Some may recall the incident in which a major university football coach was forced to resign from his dream job because of discrepancies regarding his educational achievements found on his curriculum vitae.

A high-ranking director of the Department of Homeland Security was released because of three claimed degrees from a diploma mill.

In today’s economy, it pays to know whom you are hiring.  Don’t offer to pay a prospective employee for education they don’t have.

Contact a qualified background check company today at 1-770-426-0547 or click here to email.

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Mandatory Employee Screening Anyone?

September 5, 2010 by

Have you ever wondered if every employee that you are hiring should have to pass a criminal background check? I know that it increases the cost of hiring. But if you add up the hiring costs and training expenses when trying to determine an ROI of a new employee, the cost of employment screening is marginal. However, the costs of not using a background check company could be astronomical.

Have you considered that you could be hiring someone with a very bad driving record as a delivery truck driver? The bad driving record could include speeding offenses and minor moving infractions such as rolling through a stop sign. But it could also represent a tendency for careless or reckless driving. If your new delivery driver has been convicted of driving under the influence and he gets behind the wheel of your delivery truck intoxicated, you could be held accountable for his actions. Your insurance costs could sky rocket and a possible law suit could put your business at risk. A background check company could have been your best friend.

When comparing the costs of employment screening versus disastrous actions caused by employees, wouldn’t you agree that it is in the best interest of everyone that employee background checks are mandatory for everyone during the hiring process. Depending on the type of your business you should conduct employee background checks on your employees during their whole employment.

Employment screening is not something you should ignore or dismiss as unnecessary.

For more information, visit employee background checks or call 1.770.426.0547

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Not every background check company is equal

September 3, 2010 by

If you hire employees or take on volunteer workers you are likely conducting background checks through a background check company.  Not every background check company is equal and there are considerations to be made.

How easy is it to do business with them?  Are there any human beings who can intelligently answer questions available?  Do they offer online services?  Are the services easy to use?

What types of searches do they do?  Not all background checks are the same.  There are multiple areas to search in a criminal background check and it is not difficult to miss an issue with criminal history.  Do they offer a credit history check?  If your candidate will be handling money or valuable inventory you want to be sure they are creditworthy/ responsible.

Where do they look?  Again there are multiple databases out there that may contain information you need and going with a budget priced background check company will likely mean they are doing a minimal/ surface search and not digging into detail.

Are they looking at workers compensation claims?  There are people out there who “work the system” costing employers small fortunes in high monthly insurance costs due to false claims.

What is the company’s background? New companies pop up every day because someone has a get rich quick idea.  Look for well established companies with a positive track record.

Interested in learning more about what is available?  Contact the background check experts at Loss Prevention Systems by calling 1-770-426-0547 or visit on the web here: background check company

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